Insurance Blog

The Hidden Risk of 'We've Always Done it that Way'

Every business has that one process no one questions. 

Maybe it’s the filing cabinet that’s been the “system” for 20 years. The machine that’s held together by duct tape and luck. The employee who knows exactly how everything works but has never written any of it down. 

After all, it’s worked this long, why change it? 

The reality is that some of the biggest operational risks aren’t dramatic or obvious. They develop over time through outdated routines, aging equipment, informal training and manual processes that slowly become part of the workplace. What once made sense for a growing business can eventually become the very thing holding it back. 

One of the first places to look is your equipment. Whether it’s manufacturing machinery, office technology or specialized tools, aging equipment doesn’t have to fail completely to create problems. Reduced efficiency, unexpected downtime and higher repair costs can chip away at productivity long before a total breakdown occurs. Regular maintenance and strategic upgrades help keep operations moving while reducing costly interruptions. 

Business processes deserve the same attention. 

Many businesses rely heavily on institutional knowledge—information that’s passed from one employee to another through experience rather than documentation. It might seem efficient, but it also creates vulnerabilities. If a key employee retires, changes jobs or is unexpectedly unavailable, important knowledge can disappear. Documented procedures and consistent employee training can help create continuity while improving quality and reducing mistakes. 

Recordkeeping is another area that’s easy to overlook. Paper files, handwritten notes and spreadsheets stored on a single computer might seem sufficient until disaster strikes. Fires, floods, cyberattacks and even a hardware failure can make critical business information inaccessible. Digital backups and organized record management are essential parts of any business continuity plan. 

The same principle applies to verbal agreements and unclear responsibilities. Longtime employees often know who’s responsible for what, but assumptions don’t always survive periods of growth or turnover. Clearly defined roles, written procedures and documented expectations reduce confusion while helping teams work more efficiently. 

Then there’s the everyday manual tasks that quietly consume valuable time. Entering data multiple times, tracking inventory by hand or relying on sticky notes and memory might have worked years ago, but automation tools may help streamline repetitive work while reducing the potential for human error. 

Security should also be part of every operational review. Unsecured inventory, sensitive customer information, or inadequate access controls can expose a business to unnecessary financial and legal risks. Often, small improvements to physical or digital security can make a difference. 

Businesses that regularly evaluate their operations can be better positioned to improve productivity, support employee safety and deliver a better customer experience. 

Insurance also plays an important role. As your company grows, your business insurance should, too. Whether you’re buying new equipment, hiring additional workers or expanding your services, it’s worth reviewing your insurance coverage to make sure it still reflects your current operations. 

The right insurance coverage cannot prevent every disruption. But it could help protect what you’ve built. 

Talk with a local ERIE agent to review your business insurance.

Posted on 10 August 2026 | 5:00 pm

Cybersecurity Training Tips for Small Business Owners and Employees

Cybersecurity training doesn’t have to be complicated. 

If you run a small business, your employees don’t need to become IT experts—and neither do you. They just need to recognize common scams and know what to do when something doesn’t look right. 

Simple cybersecurity training can focus on everyday tasks like: 

• Opening emails 

• Handling payments 

• Responding to vendors 

• Opening links in text messages 

• Protecting customer information 

Keep it brief

While annual trainings can offer significant support, spending a few minutes in staff meetings reviewing recent or known scams or reminding employees how to verify a payment request, for example, can reinforce cybersecurity efforts along the way. 

Give real examples

Talk through situations your employees could actually face. 

For example, what should they do if a vendor emails new banking information? What if the owner supposedly sends a text message asking them to buy gift cards? What makes an email look suspicious? 

Make it OK to slow down

Many cyber scams tend to create a sense of urgency. 

Remind employees that it’s OK to pause, ask questions and verify requests before sending money or sharing sensitive information. A quick phone call can help prevent an expensive mistake. 

Lead by example

Owners and managers should follow the same cybersecurity habits they expect from employees. Doing so sends a clear message that protecting business is everyone’s responsibility. 

It’s also a good time to review your cybersecurity practices, backup procedures and insurance coverage to help determine whether they still fit your business. 

Think beyond technology

Good cybersecurity is about more than software—it's also about helping the business you’ve worked so hard to build prepare for a cyberattack. 

Reviewing your business insurance and cyber insurance^[1] is one way to help prepare for covered cyber events. Depending on your policy and coverage, you may also have access to cybersecurity resources, employee trainings, risk assessments or planning tools that can help you assess and reduce certain cyber risks before a problem occurs. 

Insurance coverage cannot prevent every disruption. But the right coverage may help protect your business against covered losses. 

Talk with a local ERIE agent to review your business insurance.

Posted on 10 August 2026 | 5:00 pm

When Should I Call My Insurance Agent?

An insurance agent isn’t just someone who can sell you a policy.

Whether you have a question about your coverage, need to file a claim or change your policy, your agent can provide insurance solutions to a seemingly countless number of issues you might run into. And the conversations you have with your agent can help provide protection from the unknown and greater peace of mind.

Regular conversations with your agent should take place to review your coverage, make them aware of any new major purchases that need protection and to determine ways to possibly lower risk or save on your premiums.

Read on to learn more about when you would benefit from a call to your agent.

What Can an Insurance Agent Do?

Your insurance agent is a licensed individual working in a complex landscape of rules, numbers and conditions who can help you navigate the often-baffling world of insurance.

Agents routinely handle various insurance tasks. These often include:

• Help with claims. One of the primary reasons to contact an insurance agent is to file a claim after an incident. An agent can also help navigate the claims process, understand what documents are needed and get updates on the status of an ongoing claim.
• Policy changes. Individuals often reach out to their agents when they need to update their policy. Changes may include modifying coverage in response to significant life events such as buying a new home, purchasing a new vehicle, getting married or having a child.
• Questions about coverage. Policyholders frequently have questions about what their insurance covers, premium costs and payment processing. Your agent can also periodically review your coverage with you to ensure it remains adequate.
• Insurance advice. Agents can be particularly useful for advice on how to best protect assets, whether it's choosing the right policy type or selecting coverage amounts.
• Risk management and prevention advice. Your agent can be a great resource for guidance on how to lower risks and better manage premiums. Think of things like installing a home security system or taking a defensive driving course.

When Should You Call an Agent?

While there’s no wrong time to call you agent, certain life events demand that you contact them to ensure you have the proper insurance. While many people don’t think to reach out to their agent when these events occur, alerting them can help prevent coverage gaps and save a lot of hassle in the future. Here are just a few of the times that can warrant a call:

• Renovating your home
• Buying expensive jewelry or collectibles
• Adding a teenage driver
• Starting a home-based business
• Getting married or divorced

To learn more of the life events that merit a call to your agent, read 9 Life Changes to Tell Your Insurance Agent About.

The Best Agents Are Just a Call Away

In a world of virtual conveniences, it’s reassuring to know that trained professionals are ready to help you. They’re there for both planning for the future and in times of crisis.

At ERIE, we’ve been working side-by-side with the best agents in the business to bring our customers superior insurance choices since 1925. Today, millions of customers trust our agents to help them with their insurance needs.

Find a local ERIE agent today, and we’ll help you find the coverage you need.

Posted on 4 August 2026 | 5:00 pm

​What to Do After a Hit and Run​

Getting in a car accident is enough to ruin anyone's day. But if you’re involved in a hit-and-run, the experience can be especially disorienting.

You realize that your vehicle’s been hit and before you can step out to get the other driver’s information, their car is taking off into the distance.

As overwhelming as the experience can be, how you react next can play an important role in protecting yourself physically and financially. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run, here are some important details to consider before you leave the scene of the accident.

What is a Hit-and-Run?

An accident is considered a hit-and-run when one party flees the scene of the crash, even if it’s only a fender bender. Depending on the state where you live, the consequences for leaving a crash can include criminal charges, fines, license revocation and even jail time.

Although the penalties are steep, a driver may choose to flee for several reasons:

• They lack auto insurance coverage.
• They’re already breaking the law in some way.
• They’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• They don’t own the vehicle they’re driving.

What to Do in a Hit-and-Run

Like any collision, there are some basic steps you should take once the dust has settled. It’s your responsibility to document as much of the accident as possible so that you are better positioned to protect yourself, your passengers and your vehicle.

Here’s what to do if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run:

• Stay calm. Any collision can evoke intense emotions including anger, fear and anxiety. Try to remain collected so you can think and act with a clear head.
• Stay where you are. Don’t leave the scene of the accident or attempt to chase down the other driver. Staying put can help you collect valuable evidence while avoiding incurring penalties yourself. Move your car safely off the road and start by checking to see if you or any passengers need medical attention.
• Remember the details. Try to remember as many details as you can, such as the make and model of the car as well as the license plate number. You may not be able to identify who hit you, but anything you remember can help when you talk to the police or your insurance company.
• Find witnesses. An accident of any kind will typically draw attention. Once you’re safe, see if there are any witnesses to confirm what happened. If possible, get their names and contact information. This will help you solidify your story when you talk to the police.
• Call the police. Dial 911 and call the police to the scene, especially if someone needs medical attention. (Some states legally require calling the police after a collision.) The authorities will help investigate the incident and file an accident report.
• Take photos. Pictures will help provide evidence of the damage. Take photos from multiple angles, including a full view of the vehicle and close-ups of any dings and scratches. Don’t forget to take pictures of the paint left by the other car, too. Since photos provide great evidence documenting what happened at the scene of the accident, they can often speed up the claims process – helping you get back on the road quicker. They’ll also come in handy if you use ERIE’s photo appraisal process.
• Contact your insurance agent. In any accident (not just a hit-and-run), call your insurance agent to see what you should do next. They can walk you through what to do and how to file a claim.

Will My Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run?

If police can identify the culprit, their insurance company could help pay for the damages. But many hit-and-run drivers are never identified, which means their liability coverage isn’t an option.

In the event of a hit-and-run, chances are you’ll have to file a claim with your insurance company. Whether the accident is covered depends on the coverages in your policy. That’s why it’s best to make sure you have the protection you need. These coverage options can help ensure you’re protected:

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist property damage: These coverages can pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you’re hit by someone with limited or no insurance coverage. That means it can also cover unidentified drivers in a hit-and-run. However, availability varies by state. Some states don’t offer one or both coverages. In other states, such as North Carolina and West Virginia, uninsured motorist property damage coverage is mandatory. Talk to your local ERIE agent about how things work where you live. In states where this coverage is not available, optional collision coverage can cover damage caused by a hit-and-run driver. Learn more about uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
• Collision coverage: Collision coverage will help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car after a collision, including a hit-and-run. When using this coverage, most drivers will pay a deductible which is a fixed amount specified in your policy.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury protection: Similar to property damage coverage, this type of coverage can help to pay for injuries you and your passengers sustained if you are hit by someone with limited or no insurance (or a hit-and-run driver). It can pay for medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering. This coverage is mandatory (and subject to waiver) in some states. Other states, such as New York, are no-fault states, meaning that drivers in an accident can file a claim with their insurance company regardless of who is at fault. Even if you live in a no-fault state, it’s recommended to have uninsured and underinsured coverage.

Get Back to Your Life

A car accident, no matter what the circumstances, can change your whole day, week or month. And managing the claims process without having every piece of the puzzle can make those days and weeks feel a lot longer.

At Erie Insurance, our goal is to restore your confidence and renew your optimism by giving you a fresh start. Hassle-free claims service and fair assessments are what we’re all about. Learn more about auto insurance from ERIE or talk to your local ERIE agent to make sure you have everything you need to get back on the road and back to your life.

Posted on 4 August 2026 | 5:00 pm

Myths & Facts About Pumping Gas

For some reason, pumping gas tends to produce a lot of misconceptions.

For instance, many people mistakenly believe that filling up in the morning at the day’s lowest temperature can put more gas in your tank. For the facts on this myth and others, continue reading.

Facts and myths at a glance

• Don't smoke while pumping gas.
• Avoid distractions like texting while fueling.
• Stay outside your vehicle whenever possible.
• Don't top off your tank.
• Premium fuel only helps cars designed for it.
• Keep your tank above one-quarter full.
• Filling up on cold mornings won't save money.

FAQs

Is it safe to smoke at the pump?

Findings point to: NO

The American Petroleum Institute, the Petroleum Equipment Institute and safety officials across the country agree that you shouldn’t smoke while you’re pumping gas.

Gasoline is a flammable liquid, and there’s always a risk when you’re around it. However, the primary danger at the pump is not the gas itself but the gas vapors. Because these vapors are heavier than air, they can combust if they encounter anything flammable such as a smoldering cigarette butt, hot pavement or even a static spark. These can all turn into a very dangerous recipe for disaster.

Not only is smoking at a gas pump risky, it also may be against the law depending on where you’re fueling up. States have different fines or penalties for smoking at (or within a specified distance of) a gas pump. So, the next time you’re refueling, pay attention to the safety signs around you.

The takeaway: Drivers should follow the sage advice of the American Petroleum Institute: “Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else.”

Should you use your cell phone at the pump?

Findings point to: NO

But it may not be for the reason you’d expect. It is true that static electricity has the potential to cause an unexpected flash fire at the gas pump. And while the likelihood of this danger is low, it’s still a real threat.

However, according to the Petroleum Equipment Institute, there has not been a documented case of a cell phone being the culprit of this type of fire. Rather, the issue here boils down to being distracted.

According to the National Association of Convenience and Fuel Retailing, there have been incidents where a driver on their cell phone has driven away with the fuel nozzle still in their vehicle, thereby damaging their car and the pump.

The takeaway: The phone call, text message and scrolling through your Instagram feed can wait while you refuel.

Is it safe to go back into your car when refueling?

Findings point to: NO

You build up static electricity when you go in and out of your car. This is especially likely when the weather is cold and dry. And that built-up energy wants to go somewhere. According to the American Petroleum Institute, touching the pump handle without discharging that static could potentially start a flash fire.

The takeaway: Stay outside your vehicle until you’re done filling up. (If the weather is less than ideal, make sure you’re wearing proper clothing to ward off the elements.) If you absolutely have to get into your car while you’re refueling, touch the exterior metal of your car before you grab the pump; doing so will help discharge any static electricity you may have picked up on the car seat.

Do you get more gas on a cold morning?

Findings point to: NO

Some believe that you’ll get more gas if you fuel up in the morning because the lower temperature will cause the volume of fuel to drop and its density to increase, which they argue could save you money. This is fair science when dealing with liquids and cold temperatures. But when it comes to the gasoline you pump into your vehicle, the logic isn’t as easily applicable, and it all has to do with the way that gas is stored.

Because the supply tanks for gas pumps sit far underground, gasoline temperatures rarely change. So, you could essentially fill up during an ice storm and it wouldn’t do much to the density of the fuel in the supply tanks.

The takeaway: Don’t bother getting up at 4 or 5 a.m. just to get gas (unless you’re already out and about). Fill up at whatever time is convenient for you. And read more about fuel economy to learn tips and tricks to get better gas mileage.

Is it bad to “top off” your tank?

Findings point to: YES

Trying to squeeze in a few extra pumps of gas can cause more damage than you might think. First, you’re paying for more gas than you need. Second, frequently topping off could actually harm your vehicle. According to GasBuddy, when you overfill your fuel tank regularly, it can cause damage to your EVAP system, which helps your vehicle process extra gas vapors. So, in the end, you could wind up with some pretty costly repair bills. Are those few extra pumps worth it?

The takeaway: When you hear the nozzle click and the pump stops, you should stop too.

Is premium gas better than regular?

Findings point to: IT DEPENDS

Cars are designed to run best with a specific type of fuel. A higher-octane premium gas won’t ignite as quickly, which explains why high-performance cars with high-compression engines often require higher-octane gas. This specialized fuel helps the engine work more efficiently while emitting less exhaust.

It is important to choose the correct type of fuel for your specific car. Using the right octane level can help your car run at its maximum efficiency and can prevent damage to your engine. Read about the differences between premium and regular gas to learn more.

The takeaway: Running a lower-octane fuel than your car requires will cause its performance to suffer, but a higher-octane fuel is unlikely to bring any added benefits. Your owner’s manual will explain what type of gas is best for your car, or you can look inside your fuel door which should have a sticker specifying your car’s fuel requirements.

Is driving on empty bad?

Findings point to: YES

Everyone knows (or should know) that running out of gas will cause your car to stall. But driving on empty can create even more damage below the surface. It can clog your fuel filter, damage your fuel pump and cause your engine to misfire, all of which can lead to a lot more problems down the road.

The takeaway: While every vehicle’s fuel consumption is different (as are each person’s driving habits), it’s recommended to keep your tank at least one-quarter full at all times.

Looking after you

It’s nice to have someone in your life who has your best interests at heart. Your insurance company should be as reliable as your best friend, someone you can count on. At ERIE, we’ll be there when you need us, and we’ll get you back on your way right away. Learn more about auto insurance from ERIE or talk to your local ERIE agent to discover the many ways we take care of our customers.

Posted on 5 July 2026 | 5:00 pm